Solon supports for proposed
Absentee Voting Bill
K |
alibo, Aklan- This early, the Representative of the Lone District of
Aklan are lobbying to Aklanons living all over the world to support for the
proposed Absentee Voting Bill now pending in the House of Congress.
The said bill which is now on its second reading were primarily
authored by Congressmen Augusto Syjuco of Iloilo, Jose De Venecia of
Pangasinan, Harlin Abayon of Samar and Congresswoman Bellaflor Angara Castillo
of Aurora.
In a statement, Aklan Rep. Billie V. Calizo went on trip to abroad last
November 1-10, 2001 to sought the support of Aklanon communities, most of which
are migrants and OFW's, for the enactment of the proposed bill.
Said bill allows any Filipinos abroad who has not renounced the
Filipino Citizenship and not otherwise
disqualified by law, shall have the right to register and vote in all
national elections. Also, the bill aims to give Filipino migrants and OFW's a
chance to exercise their right to vote even if they are in foreign land.
This allows the Filipino citizens abroad to be updated on the current
political trends in the Philippines and felt a sense of responsibility by
taking part in such political exercise.
With this endeavor, Calizo attended various Aklanon Association
functions, meetings and social events to discuss the salient points of the
proposed bill and renew ties with her fellow Aklanons from all over the United
States.
She also graced
several Social Gatherings of Aklanon Associations such as Ibajaynons in USA,
Aklanons in USA Inc., Aklanons of America in LA and Balete International Inc.,
where she was able to seek medical and social aids for indigent Aklanon
patients especially those children in rural areas.
Calizo said, it was
these rural children who most need medical and social attention in the
province. She also hopes to receive the pledges of Aklanon Associations early
next year.
Romanian Gov't visited Boracay
B |
oracay
Island- The Romanian ParliamentaryGover-nment through its Senate President
Nicolae Vacaroiu along several senators and businessmen who arrived here last
November reportedly to invest a business in this island.
Prior
to their arrival, the Romanian Senators arrived in Manila the and visited the
Philippine Senate for a meeting, after which they went g to Kalibo, Aklan for
another luncheon meeting with the Aklan provincial government and proceeded to
this Island for their sojourn.
Before
they arrived in Boracay, the Aklan ProvincialGovernment has discussed with them
possible investments ventures in this Island and after which delegates were
toured around the Pina Weaving Industrial Sites in Aklan.
Aklan
Governor Florencio Miraflores said, the provincial government wanted to
prioritize the pina weaving industry as potential investment for the Romanians
since the industry has already achieved national recognition
It was learned, that the reason why Pina Weaving Industry could not move ahead in the province because the industry here lacks equipment to produce more fabrics and other logistics, financial capital and the proper trainings needed for the weavers.
After the meeting with the provincial government, the delegation has also met with the Malay Municipal Government in Boracay on Thursday evening to also discuss the possibility of investing in this resort.
Sin urged devotees to face their fears
K |
alibo, Aklan- Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin recently urged
thousands of Catholic devotees here to not be afraid and should face their
fears in this times of uncertainties.
Sin, a native of New Washington, Aklan was here along with Archbishop
Antonio Franco, D.D. Papal Nuncio in order to commemorate the 25th year anniversary
of the Diocese of Kalibo last October 8, 2001.
Sin told the Catholic devotees here that like the apostles in Jesus
time every devotee should face each own share of persecutions, hardship and
trials.
During Jesus time here on earth, the apostles were not only persecuted
but also killed by the Jewish people because of their persistent faith to God
the Father.
In other parts of the world nowadays, a conflict is brewing between the
Christian and Moslem communities triggered up by the American attack against
Afghanistan.
The attack known as "Attack against Terrorism" was the result
of thousands of casualties killed in New York Trade Center and the Pentagon
last May 11.
In the country, several Moslem communities are reflecting in calling a
jihad or holy war against American and its allied forces.
The government, which has both populations of Christian and Moslem
communities, has declared full support to the American in its endeavor to fight
international terrorism.
Sin, added in his call to people to be vigilant in their faith to God
giving emphasis on 'the greatest mandate of God to his people.'
"Jesus said, I am with you until the end of time and this is the
greatest mandate with us until the present," Sin said in his homily during
the mass celebrated at the St. John the Baptist here.
Among the highlight of the celebration were the ati-atihan revelry to
which indigenous people such as Aeta's coming from Boracay Island also took
part in the parade.
The various organizations, the
parishes and education sectors in honor of the Sto also joined the revelry.
Nino. The entire Aklanons has been known to place their full devotion to the
patron saint Child Jesus.
Franco meanwhile, also urged devotees to continue their respective
works despite the uncertainties of times, saying that if it is God's work he
will always provides.
Pope Paul VI approved the creation of Kalibo Diocesse by a decree in
January 17, 1976 and at present has already established 22 parishes.
“Paradise Beauties” Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
posed a picture with Miss Asia-Pacific Candidates in Boracay Island.
(photos by Joe Haresh Tanodra)
Kalibo Ati-atihan “Father" dies at 90
K |
alibo, Aklan- The known Father of the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan
Festival the other day died at the age of 90.
Because of this, Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores ordered the
schools, government agencies and other departments for a half-mast flag rising
in memory and tribute to former Mayor Federico Icamina (1960-1980).
It was gathered, Icamina, which
served this capital ati-atihan town for almost 20 years, pioneered the
introduction of the unique ati-atihan festival in the whole word in 1970's.
Because of his endeavors, the ati-atihan festival was imitated by
various provinces in the country continously attracting thousands of foreign
tourists every year. Icamina were dubbed as the longest servicemen and most
respected politicians during his term.
The Kalibo Ati-atihan known for its aboriginal streetdancing held every
second week of January was duplicated by Cebu with its own version Sinulog,
Iloilo's Dinagyang and the Bacolod Masskara Festival.
In Aklan alone, five out of the 17 towns in this province including
Boracay Island also celebrates their own version of the said festival.
It was learned, that Icamina has been strict in implementing the
celebration held in honor of Sto. Nino as he maintained the solemnity and pure
ethnic ati-atihan groups.
After he retires being a mayor of Kalibo, his successors introduced
modern groups in the festival, which were soon criticized for commercialization
of the festival.
Aside for pioneering the ati-atihan festival, Icamina also organized
the Explorer Drum and Buggle Corpse which has won various national awards in
Drum and Buggle Competitiones in 1970's.
Because of this, Icamina also conceptualized the present rhytmic
beating of the drums heard every ati-atihan festival held in various parts of
the country.
For his part,
first termer Kalibo Mayor Reymar Rebaldo incidentally a relative of Icamina
vowed to continue his uncle's legacy by making the forthcoming 2002 Kalibo Sto.
Nino Ati-atihan Festival the still most interesting festival in the country
today.
BOTTLED MISFORTUNE
R |
oxas
City- A 500-ml bottle of the popular beverage Coca-Cola, purchased last October
of this year by complainants who wish to remain anonymous until further developments,
turned out to contain a scum-like material floating on the surface of the
drink.
The bottle was not opened by the complainants to keep the seal
un-tampered and was brought to the Coca-Cola Roxas City Depot in Brgy. Lonoy,
Roxas City. The said bottle was presented to Mr. Johann Lopez, a supervisor of
the said plant.
Lopez expressed his gratitude to the complainants for not taking the
bottle to the Media on impulse and offered to replace the bottle with an
un-opened bottle of the same beverage. The complainants refused to accept the
offer on the grounds that more damage could have been done had they drank the
bottle without inspecting the contents first.
The complainants further said that their effort of keeping the issue at
bay deserved more from the Coca-Cola Company than just a replacement of the
object in question because the same bottle could land the entire company with
the Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) had they taken the bottle directly to the
said agency. _
“Ano kaya ang magyayari pag-ka nag-complain kami sa Coke kung nabuksan
na namin ang bote at may nangyari na sa mga uminom? May habol pa kaya kami nun?
(What else could happen if we had already opened the bottle and something had
already happened to the ones who drank it? Will we still have any protection on
our part?)said one of the complainants.
She also said that Coca-Cola, through Lopez, offered a November 7,2001
deadline for their response to the complaint. However, since Bagyo Nanang
ravaged the region on the said date, the complainants decided to forego the
deadline.
The complainants claimed that they did not hear from Coke since the
said date.
According to representatives from Coca-Cola, they did contact the
complainant on the said date but the contact number given was out of coverage
area.
On the other hand the complainant said that they did not put too much
weight on the November 7 deadline and even _gave consideration_ knowing that
lines were down on the said date because of the typhoon.
It was not until November 19,2001 that Lopez, being the representative
assigned to the complaint texted back to this message from the complainant:
Since you are not interested (in the complaint) we will just give it to
someone who is, at least we did inform you about it.
Lopez replied to the said message by re-iterating that the contact
number was out of coverage area and that he would be _home (Roxas City) later_
(the afternoon of November 19).
Since that text message nothing more ensued from the Coca-Cola end of
the issue.
This reporter contacted the Roxas City Depot of the said company after
being endorsed the bottle with the foreign matter inside on November 21,2001 to
inform them of the press release.
A certain personality, identifying himself as Bobot Cabrera, Officer in
Charge, said that they thought the issue had been taken care of already.
The complainants said that in the unlikely event that Coca-Cola does
not do anything about the complaint they would be forced to file a formal
complaint with the BFAD claiming that they had already been very lenient with
the beverage company prior to this.
CAPIZ ON-LINE
By Bryan Mari J. Argos
R |
oxas City- In implementation of Resolution No. 128 S. 2001, detailing
the construction of an official Capiz Website, Capiz Governor Vicente Bermejo
entered into a memorandum of agreement, with the authority granted him by the
above legislation, with Roxas On-Line for the realization of the said plan.
The result of the above legislation is a website called, _Capiz, Simply
Bewitching_. The website contains information on the province_s
administration, tourist spots, profiles, contact information, geography,
economy, and links to other pertinent sites.
The site, which is already operational and can be accessed from any
computer with the address www.capiz.info, was designed by Marcial Dumol and the
other particulars of Roxas On-line.
Governor Vicente Bermejo is proud of the project saying that the reason
that the province has not mounted the bandwagon of progress yet is its trailing
grasp on Information Technology (IT)
He said that the website would help the province by making it
accessible to all the companies on the worldwide web and to private individuals
who wish to learn more about the province, its culture and its people.
Bermejo further said that it is about time that Capiz updated its
information campaigns to encourage investments and boost the tourism industry
in the province. Bermejo encourages everybody in the region to log on to the
site for an interesting and electrifying look at the fabled province of Capiz.
(For comments, subscription and suggestion please email us at
newsrepublic21@eudoramail.com)
Newsrepublic
Staffers:
Editor-in-Chief: Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
Managing Editor: Gay T. Jimlan
Associate Editor: Ulysses Espartero
Roxas City Correspondent: Bryan Mari Argos
Editorial Staff: Jethro Obillos
Ethelbert Bandiola
Photo Editor: Joe Harres Tanodra
Web Page Designer: FC Computer
Services